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I'm using LM 13 XFCE and did something to screw up the install. Is there a way to save all my downloaded updates so I can simply add them to my re-install without have to download them all over again? Thanks.

Yes. Simply copy the contents of /var/cache/apt/archives (that's where all your updates and additions are cached) onto a flash drive (or something) and copy the files back to the same location after you reinstall. I do this all the time to keep 2 machines updated without using too much bandwidth. The fun part is taking the laptop to someplace with free fast wifi and doing the updates, thereby keeping my bandwidth cap at home under control.

BTW, this basic process is possible with all versions of linux - with varying degrees of difficulty. Yet another reason it's superior to mainstream OS's.

weirddan has it exactly right - packages in the cache folder will be used rather than downloaded again. This is true no matter which method you use to update (Mintupdate, Synaptic, Software Centre or command line apt-get).

I always this method to install update to all my machine ,with certain condition:-open source driver in use, example if one your machine used proprietary NVIDIA driver but another one using intel, you must remove nvidia package first.-same desktop environment. Cinnamon , kde , mate have different specific file. - if you are using different DE, you can run update manager and compare file in update manager to master deb folder , remove file which not listed in update manager list. ( this is vey annoying to me )Than , use synaptic package manager . click file>add downloaded package , point it to master deb folder.